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  Ultraviolet radiation sterilizationUSPTO Application #: 20070187626Title: Ultraviolet radiation sterilization Abstract: A solution for sterilizing one or more hollow components of a device, such as a medical device, is provided. Ultraviolet radiation having one or more predominant wavelength(s) and a sufficient dose is generated and directed to an interior side of the hollow component(s). The predominant wavelength(s) is/are selected to harm one or more target organisms that may be present on the interior side. The ultraviolet radiation can be delivered by a structure that is periodically inserted and retracted into the hollow component. The structure can be configured to provide additional cleaning capability, such as suction, for removing matter that may be present in the hollow component. (end of abstract)
Agent: Hoffman Warnick & D'alessandro, LLC - Albany, NY, US Inventors: Remigijus Gaska, Michael Shur, Yuriy Bilenko USPTO Applicaton #: 20070187626 - Class: 250504 R (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070187626. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]The current application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/773,131, filed on 14 Feb. 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The current application is related in some aspects to co-pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/380,512, filed on 27 Apr. 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]Aspects of the invention relate generally to sterilization, and more particularly, to a solution for sterilizing a medical device using ultraviolet radiation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Ultraviolet radiation has been successfully used in purification and sterilization systems for various media, such as air, water, and food. Such a system includes a source of ultraviolet radiation that emits ultraviolet radiation having wavelength(s) close to the absorption peaks of biologically significant molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and proteins. The system sterilizes the media by exposing it to ultraviolet radiation of a sufficient power and for a sufficient exposure time to destroy the internal biomolecular structure of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other organisms, which may be present in the media. [0004]Typically, the source of the ultraviolet radiation in an ultraviolet purification or sterilization system is a mercury lamp. To this extent, a low-pressure or a medium-pressure mercury lamp provides a linear spectrum of radiation with one or more peak lines having a wavelength that is in the relative vicinity to the DNA absorption line. For example, a low-pressure mercury lamp having a main peak at 253.4 nanometers (nm) is generally used in low-consumption residential water purification systems and residential air purification systems. Further, a medium-pressure mercury lamp having a higher radiation power and a multi-peak radiation spectrum is used in municipal systems with medium and high water consumption. [0005]However, the use of a mercury lamp as the source of ultraviolet radiation has significant drawbacks. For example, mercury is an extremely dangerous element, thereby limiting the applications of mercury-based water and/or air purification systems. In particular, such a mercury-based water purification system is generally not used in transportation or individual applications. Further, a typical lifetime of the mercury lamp generally does not exceed ten thousand hours. Still further, the radiation spectrum of the ultraviolet radiation generated by the mercury lamp includes peak lines having characteristic wavelengths that do not exactly coincide with the absorption peaks of DNA and proteins and these peak lines cannot be controlled or adjusted, which results in a decrease in the efficiency of the system. Still further, mercury lamps are fragile and often bulky, which generally adds to the overall cost and/or size of the system and does not allow for a flexible design. Various other limitations are present as will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]Aspects of the invention provide a solution for sterilizing one or more hollow components of a device, such as a medical device. Ultraviolet radiation having one or more predominant wavelength(s) and a sufficient dose is generated and directed to an interior side of the hollow component(s). The predominant wavelength(s) is/are selected to harm one or more target organisms that may be present on the interior side. The ultraviolet radiation can be delivered by a structure that is periodically inserted and retracted into the hollow component. The structure can be configured to provide additional cleaning capability, such as suction, for removing matter that may be present in the hollow component. The sterilization can be performed in a non-obstructive manner, which enables use of the component, and therefore the device, to continue during and after the sterilization. [0007]A first aspect of the invention provides a medical sterilization system, the system comprising: means for generating ultraviolet radiation; and means for directing the ultraviolet radiation onto an interior side of a hollow component of a medical device. [0008]A second aspect of the invention provides a method of sterilizing a medical device, the method comprising: generating ultraviolet radiation using a set of ultraviolet radiation sources; and directing the ultraviolet radiation onto an interior side of a hollow component of the medical device. [0009]A third aspect of the invention provides a method of sterilizing a hollow elongated structure, the method comprising: generating ultraviolet radiation using a set of ultraviolet radiation sources; and inserting a second elongated structure into the hollow elongated structure, the second elongated structure directing the ultraviolet radiation onto an interior side of the hollow elongated structure. [0010]A fourth aspect of the invention provides a system for sterilizing a hollow elongated structure, the system comprising: means for generating ultraviolet radiation; a second elongated structure; and means for inserting the second elongated structure into the hollow elongated structure, the second elongated structure directing the ultraviolet radiation onto an interior side of the hollow elongated structure. [0011]A fifth aspect of the invention provides a computer program product stored on at least one computer readable medium, which when executed causes a computer system to implement a method of sterilizing a hollow structure, the method comprising: generating ultraviolet radiation using a set of ultraviolet radiation sources; and inserting a second structure into the hollow structure, the second structure directing the ultraviolet radiation onto an interior side of the hollow structure. [0012]The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solve one or more of the problems herein described and/or one or more other problems not discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]These and other features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention. [0014]FIG. 1 shows an illustrative medical device according to an embodiment of the invention. [0015]FIGS. 2A-B show illustrative positions of a sterilization structure according to an embodiment of the invention. [0016]FIGS. 3A-C show illustrative configurations of a sterilization structure according to embodiments of the invention. [0017]FIG. 4 shows an illustrative cross section of a sterilization structure within a tube according to an embodiment of the invention. [0018]FIG. 5 shows an illustrative connector according to an embodiment of the invention. [0019]FIG. 6 shows another illustrative connector according to an embodiment of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Ultraviolet radiation sterilization Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ultraviolet radiation sterilization patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080237501 - Extreme ultraviolet light source device and extreme ultraviolet radiation generating method - High temperature plasma raw material (21) is gasified by irradiation with a first energy beam (23). When the gasified raw material reaches the discharge region, pulsed power is applied between the electrodes (11, 12) and a second energy beam (24) irradiates. In this manner, the plasma is heated and excited ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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